Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding in the First 6 Months of Life

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the numerous emphasis on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, but studies have indicated that it is low in Iran. In this study, we investigated the economic factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. Methods: The study population included 6-12 months old children who were referred to Arak healthcare centers with their mothers for vaccination and healthcare. Sampling was performed according to Cochran formula. The questionnaires were completed by asking mothers and also visiting family documents. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and household socioeconomic variables. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios for factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding and also the relationship between household variables and breastfeeding were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding decreased from 85.1% to 46.2% with increasing in age from 0 to 6 months. Working mothers, mothers with higher education and physical activity had breastfed higher than others their infants up to 6 months (p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between sex of child, household income, maternal BMI, pregnancy complications, previous abortion and type of delivery with exclusive breastfeeding (p>0.05).Conclusion: In spite of high emphasis on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, but it has not been met. Findings from this study contribute to the growing body of research on the social determinants of breast feeding.

Factors Affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Working Area of the Sawah Lebar Health Center, Bengkulu City

“…Different findings were obtained in another study that economic status did not significantly affect exclusive breastfeeding (Winarti et al, 2020). The difference in results with this study was also found in previous studies that socioeconomic factors did not influence exclusive breastfeeding (Nazari et al, 2021).…”

Knowledge, attitude, and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding during COVID-19 pandemic among lactating mothers in Mekelle, Tigrai: a cross sectional study

“…Compared to those who didn’t attend formal education, mothers who attended primary, secondary to preparatory, and college or above education showed higher odds of EBF practice. Elsewhere, primary or higher educational status of mothers was associated with higher odds of breastfeeding up to 6 months of age [ 32 , 38 ]. Mothers with higher educational status might be very likely to have greater exposure to breastfeeding-related information and to translate such information into practice.…”

Caring for Puerperial Mothers Through the Utilization of Traditional Herbs to Optimize Their Health

“…Faktor utama adalah kurang pengetahuan dari ibu dan keluarga yang terkait dengan usia, tingkat pendidikan ibu, dan kurang mendapat akses informasi mengenai manfaat ASI dan manajemen laktasi, terutama pada periode antenatal. Selain itu, adanya masalah kesehatan fisik dan psikis ibu serta ibu yang bekerja (Maharlouei et al, 2018;US Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Masalah kesehatan fisik yang sering menjadi kendala menyusui adalah mastitis atau peradangan pada payudara, ibu menderita penyakit infeksi atau sedang mengkonsumsi obat yang dikhawatirkan membahayakan bagi bayi yang menyusu.…”

“…Ibu bekerja sering menjadi faktor kegagalan memberi ASI eksklusif. Hal ini karena ketidaktahuan ibu dan keluarga mengenai manajemen laktasi bagi ibu bekerja maupun dukungan lingkungan kerja yang kurang (Maharlouei et al, 2018).…”